Swansea Water District receives fluoride award

SWANSEA — The Swansea Water District received the U.S. Centers for Disease Control an Prevention Water Fluoridation Quality Award for the seventh consecutive year.

Bill Hall

SWANSEA — The Swansea Water District received the U.S. Centers for Disease Control an Prevention Water Fluoridation Quality Award for the seventh consecutive year.

The award is presented annually by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health, for those departments that meet the standards. The CDC presents the award to public water systems that adjust the fluoride concentration of their drinking water, achieve a monthly average of fluoride level for 12 months and document their fluoride levels.

"We test every day an we have new testing equipment," said Treatment Plant Chief Operator Michael Bacon as reasons for the continued success. "We get more accurate information and we pay attention."

Mr. Bacon, who has been with the Water District for 14 years including 12 as the chief operator, praised the treatment operators, Michael Amaral, Shane Heneghen and Nicholas Moniz.

According to the CDC, fluoridation of public water supplies began more than 65 years ago and 70 percent of Massachusetts residents are receiving the benefits of community water fluoridation. Public fluoridation is recognized as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements.